Brava

Discover Brava

Of all of Cape Verde’s nine islands, Brava is perhaps the best example of ‘off the beaten track’. It’s the smallest island, has the lowest population density and, alongside Maio, gets the least visitors. It’s also the greenest island and is often referred to as ‘the island of flowers’, though there are also arid areas and bare rocky ridges mixed in with this greenery. The valleys and towns are awash with varying shades of pinks and purple, due to an abundant covering of bougainvillea, hibiscus, jacaranda, and oleander. And, despite being a mere 10km across at its widest point, Brava has some of the best walks in Cape Verde.

Things to do on Brava

Brava’s true appeal isn’t found in a checklist of activities, but in the unhurried rhythm of the island itself. It’s a peaceful place, where quiet, dusty trails traverse rocky mountains and green valleys. Small fishing villages buzz with the activity of hauling in the days catch and transporting the fish from village to village in buckets, and on planks of wood. That said, there are some experiences that you will want to enjoy whilst you are here.

The hiking trails are certainly one of the key highlights of any visit to Brava. Unless its a short walk, it’s generally better to go with a guide, in part because the trails are indistinct at times and can become enshrouded in fog, but also because you will learn at lot from your time with a guide. If you feel like a challenge, you can hike to the top of Pico de Fontainhas (976m), a volcanic mountain in the centre of the island and Brava’s highest point. There are also lovely trails taking you to Fajã d’Agua, and the pebbled Sorno Beach.

Fajã d’Agua is another highlight, a scenic fishing village nestled in a gorgeous bay. It’s easy to get there from Vila Nova Sintra, either on foot or by road. Often considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in Cape Verde, you can walk along the seafront, enjoy a drink and some food in the town, and perhaps joining a tasting tour at the Jbey rum distillery. If you fancy a dip, there is a small sea pool at the edge of the bay that’s nice and sheltered, called Poça Preta. As with all tidal fed pools, use your judgement on the day before getting in.

A great way to familiarise yourself with day-to-day life for Brava’s residents is too go on a driver-guided island tour. Due to being the greenest of Cape Verde’s islands, Brava’s main industry is agriculture and fishing. This means a lunch stop with the freshest produce and time spent watching the fishing boats and exploring the fish markets. You will see yellowfin tuna, swordfish, serra (sawfish), grouper, parrotfish, and a whole range of marine life, and you can buy fruit from roadside stalls, and walk along secluded coves.

Top places to stay on Brava

Once you’ve arrived on Brava, a perfect place to base yourself is in the pretty town of Vila Nova Sintra. It’s the island’s biggest town and is particularly lush and green, due to its hilltop location. On a clear day, you can see all the way to neighbouring Fogo. The town has been well looked after, and is mostly made up of renovated old colonial buildings. Probably the best place to stay is at the Hotel Cruz Grande. From here it’s easy to spend at least three or four days exploring this beautiful island on foot. For your first day we recommend having a guided tour of the island, to get you acquainted.

Getting to Brava

Getting to Brava is a bit of a challenge because it can only be accesses by ferry from Fogo, and the weather can sometimes impact the ferry schedule, which only gets released days in advance. Our folks on the ground will adjust your itinerary according to the ferry times, making sure you get to enjoy all of your planned experiences on both Fogo and Brava. But you do need to be a little flexible with which days each activity will fall on. It’s certainly worth the effort once you get there but we only recommend this island if you have the cushioning in your itinerary for potential delays. You’ll need a couple of days on Fogo on the way out and on the way back, but there’s plenty to see on Fogo so these days won’t be wasted!

And remember, all of our holidays are tailor made for you. Brava pairs particularly well with Fogo and Santiago but we can chat to you about which of the islands best suit your preferences. We’ve put together a few holiday suggestions for Cape Verde, all of which are fully customisable.